PMP Exam Prep

Linked to the Technical skill area of the PMI Talent Triangle®, this course focuses on the technical aspects of successfully managing projects. Topics will delve into the core skills of scope, cost, and schedule management and integrating these concepts to develop a master project plan. Participants will also need to demonstrate an understanding of quality, risk, and procurement management and use techniques such as earned value, critical path methodology, and general data gathering and analysis techniques.

This course focuses on the technical skills of successfully managing projects. Topics will include:

1. Estimating

2. Reviewing project management methods

3. Planning for scope, schedule and cost throughout a project

4. Demonstrating some understanding of quality improvement, risk management, and procurement management

5. Applying the concepts of earned value analysis and critical path scheduling technique.

Regardless of the type of project you're working on, staying up to date with proven methods to manage your projects will allow you to get work done as effectively and efficiently as possible. The flexibility demonstrated through implementation of these tools allows project managers to switch between traditional methods when needed or gain new ways of working for different projects.

Making the switch from “traditional” project management to agile is not always straightforward, and it can be particularly challenging for organizations who are accustomed to a predictive environment. However, with the right guidance and support, the transition doesn't have to be overwhelming. This course will help learners gain valuable insight into applying the adaptive techniques (iterative, incremental, or agile) that can make the transition smoother should you choose to do so in your real world projects. Adaptive techniques may feel unfamiliar and cumbersome at first, but with an open mind and some perseverance, the rewards can be great.

By the end of the course, you will be exposed to the tools and techniques to ensure your projects are utilizing the most appropriate methods, tools, and techniques that meet the needs of your project–and meet the expectations of your stakeholders. Learners will discover that project managers can quickly adapt to any new situation they face by focusing on the goals they want to achieve and the value they expect to deliver. They should embrace change and recognize that there will always be new ideas, methods, and technology available for them to adopt.

Additionally, upon successful completion of this course, learners can earn 8 contact hours of project management education which are recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). A total of 35 contact hours in project management education are a requirement to those looking to achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP®)certification. Learners will finish this course with increased knowledge of the better practice tips to engage stakeholders and be more than ready to continue their project management and PMP® journey, which we hope completes your certificate with us.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores best practice tips to engage stakeholders

Teaches a core competency required for project management

Instructors are faculty at University of Maryland

May feel cumbersome initially

Requires familiarity with project management

Adapting to new project management scenarios may be challenging

Reviews summary

Pmp exam prep & adaptive project management

According to learners, this course is a highly valuable supplement for PMP exam preparation, particularly for its focus on adaptive techniques and integrating traditional project management concepts. Students frequently highlight the instructor's clarity and the thorough content delivery on topics like earned value analysis and critical path scheduling. Many found the real-world examples made theoretical concepts practical, and it provides crucial PMI contact hours. While recent reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some earlier feedback noted a desire for more hands-on scenarios or that some material felt basic for experienced professionals, suggesting it's best viewed as a complementary resource.

Pacing can vary, benefiting those with some prior project management experience.

"This course assumes a certain level of prior project management knowledge. While it covers the basics, beginners might find it moves a bit fast."

"The pacing was just right for me, allowing for deep understanding without feeling rushed."

"Some of the material felt a little outdated, and the pacing was inconsistent – some parts rushed, others dragged."

Most effective when used to complement other PMP study materials.

"It's a good supplementary resource, but probably not sufficient as a standalone PMP prep course."

"It definitely complements other PMP study materials, filling in specific knowledge gaps."

"I found this course incredibly helpful when combined with other comprehensive PMP study guides."

The instructor explains complex project management concepts clearly.

"The instructor clearly explains complex concepts like earned value and critical path, making them understandable."

"The instructor is very knowledgeable and articulates concepts with great clarity, which helped my learning."

"Excellent content delivery! The modules on scope, cost, and schedule management were thorough and presented in an easy-to-digest format."

Emphasizes modern adaptive and agile methodologies effectively.

"I felt much more confident in applying adaptive techniques after completing this course."

"The focus on 'ways of working' and applying adaptive techniques was very relevant to my current role."

"I particularly found the explanations on traditional vs. agile transitions insightful and directly applicable."

A highly relevant course for PMP exam candidates seeking contact hours.

"This course was exactly what I needed to bridge the gap in my PMP exam prep, especially with the 'Ways of Working' aspect."

"The 8 contact hours are a bonus for PMP certification candidates, making it a key part of my study plan."

"Crucial 8 contact hours for my PMP application! Beyond that, the content on integrating scope, cost, and schedule was excellent."

Some learners desired more practical, hands-on application over theory.

"I was hoping for more practical application and less theory. While it covers the technical skills, the exercises felt a bit superficial."

"For experienced project managers, this might feel like a basic refresher rather than advanced learning."

"Could use more hands-on scenarios and deeper dives into real-world problem-solving."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in PMP Exam Prep: Ways of Working for Technical Projects with these activities:

Revisit Previous Course Materials on Project Management

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing concepts from earlier courses

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Identify previous coursework related to project management
Review notes, textbooks, and other materials from those courses
Complete practice problems or quizzes to assess your understanding

Review Project Management for Dummies

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Start improving your skills by reviewing key project management fundamentals

View Project Management For Dummies on Amazon

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Purchase the book from a retailer such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Set a goal to read at least 3 chapters per week
Take notes on key project management concepts, such as scope, time, and cost

Seek a Mentor in the Project Management Field

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Connect with a mentor to accelerate your project management learning

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Attend industry events and meetups to connect with potential mentors
Reach out to project managers in your professional network
Join online forums and communities where you can interact with experienced project managers

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Solve Project Management Practice Problems

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Improve your ability to manage projects by applying formulas and performing calculations

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Find a website that has sample project management practice problems
Attempt solving at least 5 practice problems each day
Review the solutions to each practice problems to identify areas for improvement

Create a Mind Map of Project Management Techniques

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Organize your knowledge and improve recall by creating a visual representation of project management techniques

Browse courses on Project Management Techniques

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Brainstorm a list of project management techniques
Arrange the techniques into a logical structure using a mind mapping tool
Add notes and examples to further enhance your understanding

Follow Online Tutorials on Agile Project Management

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Gain insights into agile project management by learning from industry experts

Browse courses on Agile Project Management

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Identify reputable online platforms that offer agile project management tutorials
Select a tutorial that aligns with your learning goals and skill level
Follow the tutorial instructions and complete the included exercises

Develop a Project Plan for a Real-World Project

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Enhance your planning skills by creating a detailed outline for a real project

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Identify a suitable project to plan
Gather information about the project, including its goals, scope, and constraints
Create a detailed project plan, including a timeline, budget, and resource allocation
Test your project plan by presenting it to a group of peers or colleagues

Volunteer on a Project Management Team

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Gain practical experience and contribute to your community

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